Released 13/12/2018
A community solar farm, which will allow ACT residents to invest in and use renewable energy, has been given the green light to begin construction next year, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury announced today.
“In the ACT we recognise the value solar has to our clean, green and affordable energy future,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“ACT residents will now have the opportunity to share in the economic benefits of locally produced solar electricity by investing in the SolarShare Community Farm. This community solar farm will be especially beneficial to people unable to use solar rooftop technology because they are living in apartments, renting or have homes not suitable for solar panels.
“Local students will also benefit, with SolarShare Canberra collaborating with and providing internships to students from the University of Canberra, CIT and both the Fenner School of Environment and Society and Engineering Research School at the ANU.”
The 1 megawatt (MW) SolarShare Community Farm, which will be capable of generating enough energy to power 300 homes, will be supported by an ACT Government feed-in tariff entitlement of 20 years.
“The entitlement recognises the contribution the farm will provide to the ACT’s climate action and clean energy commitments, including being powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2020 and reaching zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045,” Mr Rattenbury said.
Construction will begin next year at a site located next to the existing Majura Solar Farm.
The project follows from an item in the 2012-16 Greens-Labor Parliamentary Agreement to advance community owned solar.
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
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